The August Holiday Spotlight shines on Eid al-Adha, or the Days of sacrifice, which is a Muslim holiday celebrated for four days during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah. It celebrates the willingness of the Prophet Abraham (called Ibrahim by Muslims) to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Like Jews and Christians, Muslims also honor Ibrahim, though their telling of the story varies somewhat from that found in the biblical book of Genesis, where Abraham as an old man finally becomes the father to a son by his wife Sarah. When Isaac has grown to be a young boy, God orders Abraham to build an altar and kill Isaac. Abraham is about to comply when his hand is stayed and a ram is supplied in Isaac's place.

 

Works cited:

Melton, J. G. (2010). Eid al-Adha. In J. G. Melton & M. Baumann (Eds.), Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices (2nd ed., Vol. 3, pp. 951-952). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX1766500511/GVRL?u=berea&sid=GVRL&xid=376dbb8d

Browse some of our books listed below for more information on Eid al-adha:

Cover Art Islam by James A. Beverley
Call Number: 297 B571i 2001 - Hutchins Library - Circulating (3rd Floor)
 
An essential introduction to the culture, history, and practices of the world's second largest religion. Professor James A. Beverley provides answers to questions many Christians have about Islam. Issues include what Muslims think about God, the world, and their place in it; how Muhammad established a religion that now stretches around the world, how different groups within Islam define Jihad, why Palestine is important to Muslims, what roles women play in different Islamic communities, and how Christians should relate to Muslims. Features include: Glossary of terms related to Islam A list of Frequently Asked Questions for easy reference Topical bibliography for further study
 
Cover Art The Children of Abraham by F. E. Peters; John L. Esposito (Foreword by)
Call Number: 201.4 P481c 2004 - Hutchins Library - Circulating (3rd Floor)
 
F.E. Peters, a scholar without peer in the comparative study of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, revisits his pioneering work after twenty-five years. Peters has rethought and thoroughly rewritten his classic The Children of Abraham for a new generation of readers-at a time when the understanding of these three religious traditions has taken on a new and critical urgency. He began writing about all three faiths in the 1970s, long before it was fashionable to treat Islam in the context of Judaism and Christianity, or to align all three for a family portrait. In this updated edition, he lays out the similarities and differences of the three religious siblings with great clarity and succinctness and with that same remarkable objectivity that is the hallmark of all the author's work. Peters traces the three faiths from the sixth century B.C., when the Jews returned to Palestine from exile in Babylonia, to the time in the Middle Ages when they approached their present form. He points out that all three faith groups, whom the Muslims themselves refer to as "People of the Book," share much common ground. Most notably, each embraces the practice of worshipping a God who intervenes in history on behalf of His people. The book's text is direct and accessible with thorough and nuanced discussions of each of the three religions. Updated footnotes provide the reader with expert guidance into the highly complex issues that lie between every line of this stunning and timely new edition of The Children of Abraham. ?
 
Cover Art Ara'Is Al-Majalis Fi Qisas Al-Anbiya or Lives of the Prophets by Ahmad ibn Muhammad Thalabi; William M. Brinner
Call Number: E-Book (Berea College only)
 
These 11th-century tales, written in many different languages and well known throughout the Muslim world, have been read and studied through the years. This is, however, the first complete translation of the Arabic text into English, from the story of the creation of the world to the time just before the coming of the Prophet Muhammad and the revelation of Islam. It includes tales of prophets who are Biblical figures, but also of others not considered prophets in other traditions, and contains tales too like The Thousand and One Nights, with no prophetic content. In the Islamic world, this work has been and is still read and enjoyed, both as a source of religious study and for simple pleasure.
 
Cover Art Hajj by Venetia Porter (Editor)
Call Number: 297.352 H154 2012 - Hutchins Library - Circulating (3rd Floor)
 
The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is the largest pilgrimage in the world today and a sacred duty for all Muslims. Each year, millions of the faithful from around the world make the pilgrimage to Makkah, the birthplace of Islam where the Prophet Muhammad received his revelation. With contributions from renowned experts Muhammad Abdel Haleem, Hugh Kennedy, Robert Irwin, and Ziauddin Sardar, this fascinating book pulls together many strands of Hajj, its rituals, history, and modern manifestations. Travel was once a hazardous gamble, yet devoted Muslims undertook the journey to Makkah, documenting their experiences in manuscripts, wall paintings, and early photographs, many of which are presented here. Through a wealth of illustrations including pilgrims' personal objects, souvenirs, and maps, "Hajj "provides a glimpse into this important holy rite for Muslim readers already grounded in the tradition and non-Muslims who cannot otherwise participate. "Hajj" does not, however, merely trace pilgrimages of the past. The Hajj is a living tradition, influenced by new conveniences and obstacles. Graffiti, consumerism, and state lotteries all now play a role in this time-honored practice. This book opens out onto the full sweep of the Hajj: a sacred path walked by early Islamic devotees and pre-Islamic Arabians; a sumptuous site of worship under the care of sultans; and an expression of faith in the modern world.
 
Cover Art Understanding Islam and Muslim Traditions by Tanya Gulevich
Call Number: 297 G971u 2004 - Hutchins Library - Reference Area (2nd Floor)
 
An introduction to the religious practices, celebrations, festivals, observances, beliefs, folklore, customs, and calendar system of the world's Muslim communities, including an overview of Islamic history and geography.